There’s a common misconception around the world that Canadian health care is free because it’s universal and socialized. It’s likely one of the reasons why hospitals in every province get stiffed for hundreds of millions in unpaid medical bills by tourists who need medical care, but don’t bother purchasing travel health insurance.

With the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games starting tomorrow, and up to 250,000 visitors expected, Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning: Don’t come without travel health insurance.

VANCOUVER – No one wants to get sick while on holidays, but if you do while attending the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health wants to ensure all visitors from outside Canada arrive with appropriate health care insurance coverage.

Contrary to belief, Canadians do not receive free health care. Canadians pay for heath care through their taxes. A person must be a resident of British Columbia to qualify for coverage by the provincial health care plan – the B.C. Medical Services Plan.

Although tourists to Canada from the U.S. or elsewhere are able to access hospitals, doctors and health care services in B.C., they will be charged for the care they receive.

BC hospitals accept all major credit cards as forms of payment as well as cash and debit cards. If you have insurance through your home country or a private insurer, payment for the care you receive will need to be arranged between you, the health care provider and the insurer. All charges incurred during a hospital stay will be calculated based on a daily rate or calculated based on medical condition and length of stay.

If you need to see a doctor, or have other health care needs while in BC (lab tests or other diagnostics), you will be required to pay for these services, too — either directly out-of-pocket or through your travel or personal insurance plan.

All visitors to BC from outside Canada can also receive a free H1N1 vaccine while here. While the vaccine itself is free of charge, you will be asked to pay a reasonable fee. This fee is set by the provider. H1N1 flu shots are available at some community pharmacies, at some walk-in medical clinics and at Vancouver Coastal Health travel clinics.

For more information about how and where to access the vaccine, please go to www.vch.ca and click on “2010 Winter Games.” You’ll find more health care information for tourists under “Getting Health Care Services.”

For tourists who are feeling unwell, but do not require emergency services, call 8-1-1 to connect with HealthLink BC. This free, health care information line will connect you to registered nurses who are able to discuss non-emergency health concerns. The service is free and available 24/7. If you are having a health care emergency, call 9-1-1.

Vancouver Coastal Health is the provider of health care for the athletes, officials and spectators of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

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